Supreme Court Judge, Justice B.R. Gavai, has highlighted the increasing misuse of live-streamed court proceedings by content creators, emphasizing how short video clips are often taken out of context, leading to sensationalism and misinformation. He underscored the urgent need for clear guidelines governing the use of such footage.
Speaking at a conference organized by the Supreme Court of Kenya, Justice Gavai discussed India’s judicial experience with technology, particularly the adoption of virtual hearings and livestreaming to enhance transparency and accessibility. However, he expressed concerns over how content creators manipulate these recordings for views and monetization.
“Short clips from court hearings are widely circulated on social media, frequently presenting a distorted narrative of judicial proceedings. When taken out of context, these clips can lead to misinformation, misinterpretation of legal discussions, and inaccurate public perception,” he cautioned.
Justice Gavai also pointed out that many content creators and YouTubers repurpose judicial content without authorization, raising serious concerns about intellectual property rights and ownership of court proceedings. The unauthorized use and potential monetization of such clips create an ethical dilemma regarding the balance between public access and responsible broadcasting.
To address these challenges, he stressed the need for judicial frameworks to regulate the appropriate use of live-streamed proceedings, ensuring that transparency does not come at the cost of misleading or unethical content dissemination.
In addition to concerns over content misuse, Justice Gavai spoke on the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the legal domain. While AI tools assist in case management, scheduling, and legal research, they also present ethical challenges.
“AI-powered research tools have, at times, generated fake case citations and fabricated legal facts. While AI can process vast amounts of legal data efficiently, it lacks human discernment and the ability to verify sources reliably. This has resulted in instances where lawyers and researchers unknowingly cited non-existent cases, leading to professional embarrassment and potential legal consequences,” he noted.
Justice Gavai further warned against using AI for predicting judicial outcomes, arguing that it raises fundamental questions about justice itself.
“The nature of justice requires ethical reasoning, empathy, and contextual understanding—qualities that AI lacks. Relying on algorithms for judicial predictions could undermine the human element of legal decision-making. While AI should serve as an aid, it must never replace human judgment in the judiciary,” he emphasized.
Justice Gavai’s remarks highlight the complexities surrounding technology’s role in the legal system, calling for measured and ethical integration to preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings.
